Common False Foxglove Agalinis tenuifolia

Slender-leaved False Foxglove is a very fine textured native wildflower found in sunny areas in wet woodlands, thickets, meadows, along coastal shores, and in disturbed areas.  Plant it in full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil though it does withstand many soil types and moisture levels.  It self-seeds easily and will naturalize in the landscape.

It often shares the same habitat with A. purpurea which it is confused with, but is distinguished by the long stalks that support each flower.  The flowers are showy late summer into fall.  This plant is reported to be partially parasitic feeding off the roots of other plants.  Agalinis comes from the Greek word aga which means remarkable and linum is from the Latin word for flax, because the flowers somewhat resemble flax flowers.  The species tenuifolia means narrow leaves.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  This plant may be challenging to grow in a cultivated landscape.